Wallingford, CT

Wallingford CT Market Update for December 2011

Here's the way the housing market is shaping up in Wallingford as of December 31, 2011:

There are currently 186 single family homes for sale in Wallingford:

• Low list price: $29,900
• High list price: $850,000
• Average list price: $298,800
• Median list price: $269,450
• Average Days on Market: 106
• Homes sold on average for 92.9% of list price

There are 40 homes currently under contract, priced between $109,900 and $599,900. Based on the number of homes sold in December (27), it would take approximately 7 months to

sell the current inventory.

As for condominiums, there are currently 67 condosfor sale:

• Low list price: $46,900
• High list price: $559,900
• Average list price: $219,761
• Median list price: $192,000
• Average Days on Market: 165
• Condos sold on average for 90.2% of list price

There are currently 11 condos under contract, priced between $49,900 and $495,000. Based on the number of condos sold in December (8), it would take 8 months to sell the current inventory.

Here is a chart showing annual home and condo sales in Wallingford for 2011:

Wallingford home and condo inventories went in opposite directions in December, as single family homes fell by 5% to 186 units (down a third consecutive month) and condos rose by 12% to 67 units, roughly were it was in October. The average selling price in both categories plummeted, as condos dropped 7% to their lowest level of the year at $198,115, while single family homes fell 8% to $277,585. Total sales increased by 13% over November, and by 46% over October, a nice gain during what is usually a slow time of the year. This increase in sales, coupled with decreased inventory and faster selling times resulted in the Wallingford housing market staying firmly in a balanced market. Conventional mortgage rates were still hovering at or below 4% and CHFA rates for first time home buyers fell to another yearly low of 3.250 percent. At the end of November we projected December sales to be in the 30-35 unit range, and we were right on at 35 units sold. The Wallingford market remains very active in January, but we're skeptical that the market will maintain the current rate of sales, so we think there will be a fallback to between 25-30 sales for the month.

~Wallingford Properties For Sale~

(zoom out to see more properties)

Related articles

• Wallingford CT Market Update for November 2011 (wallingfordwired.com)
• Wallingford CT Market Update for October 2011 (wallingfordwired.com)
• Wallingford CT Market Update for September 2011 (wallingfordwired.com)

Electronic Recycling Info for Wallingford CT

If you're like us, you probably have some old electronics laying around that you don't know what to do with: a broken DVD player, an old radio missing a few tubes, or maybe a computer monitor that would cost more to fix than replace. If this sounds like you, here's some news you can use.

Wallingford residents can now drop off unwanted or broken electronic items at the town's recycling center located at 157 John Street. Items can be dropped off on the second Saturday of every month from 8AM to 4PM. Accepted items include:

• Computers (desktop and laptop)
• Monitors
• Printers
• Televisions
• Keyboards
• Mice (the computer kind!)
• PDA's
• Fax machines
• Stereos/radios
• Modems
• Telephones
• VCR/DVD/CD players
• iPods

There is no charge for this recycling, but each household is limited to dropping off seven (7) items per visit. Here are the dates for electronic recycling for 2012:

January 14

February 11

March 10

April 14

May 12

June 9

July 14

August 11

September 8

October 13

November 10

December 8

For more information please call the Wallingford Program Planning Office at (203) 294-2060.

So, get those old, broken down pieces of electronics out of the house now, before they all get together and create a REAL Skynet and take over the world!

(just kidding...)

Related articles:

• Are You Recycling Your Electronics This Year? (tecwhat.com)
• Recycling For Wallingford Residents (wallingfordwired.com)

Wallingford Gets Ladies's Fast Pitch Softball League

If you're a young lady 18 years of age or older and you love, love, LOVE to play fast-pitch softball, but were always disappointed that there was no place to play in Wallingford, your time has come. Local resident (and good friend) Kathy Thuerling feels the same way, and has decided to create a fast pitch softball league for players 18 and older.

Kathy has spent over 20 years coaching young players in the fundamentals of the game, including her own two daughters, and was surprised to find that, when players outgrew little league play, there was no local league for them to move into. So, she's rectifying that situation. In the inaugural year of the league which will start this coming June, Kathy would like to see 12 registered teams and, if the interest is still there and participation is strong, it could well grow bigger.

The new league would be for any female players that have graduated from high school and would run from June through September, with games being played at Doolittle Park. Teams would play a minimum of 13 games. Registration is tentatively scheduled for sometime in February at the Rally Time Hitting and Training Center, 150 N. Plains Industrial Road in Wallingford. We'll update this post when the time is firmed up. Cost of registering a team would be $600, or $50 per person for a typically sized team of 12 players. The fee will cover insurance, officiating and game balls.

If you've been waiting for a chance to play in a fast pitch softball league - or just watch one - here's your chance. Watch for the announcement of the February registration date, get your team together and get ready to join in the fun! For more information, you can contact Kathy by email at kthuerling114@comcast.net.

Heck, Harriman Real Estate might even sponsor a team...might just win the whole enchilada, too...

Wallingford CT Market Update for November 2011

Here's the way the housing market is shaping up in Wallingford as of November 30, 2011:

There are currently 196 single family homes for sale in Wallingford:

• Low list price: $29,900
• High list price: $1,300,000
• Average list price: $317,135
• Median list price: $279,900
• Average Days on Market: 67
• Homes sold on average for 95.2% of list price

There are 51 homes currently under contract, priced between $64,900 and $599,900. Based on the number of homes sold in November (23), it would take approximately 9 months to sell the current inventory.

As for condominiums, there are currently 60 condos for sale:

• Low list price: $64,900
• High list price: $599,900
• Average list price: $217,151
• Median list price: $192,950
• Average Days on Market: 179
• Condos sold on average for 98.1% of list price

There are currently 10 condos under contract, priced between $49,900 and $495,000. Based on the number of condos sold in November (8), it would take 8 months to sell the current inventory.

Here is a chart showing annual home and condo sales in Wallingford so far in 2011:

Wallingford home and condo inventories both fell in October; single family homes decreased by 8% to 196 units, and condos fell by 12% to 60 units. The average selling price in both categories remained mixed as condos dropped to their lowest level of the year at $217,151, while single family homes saw a modest increase to $3167,135. Days on market continued to improve as houses took 67 days to sell while condos fell to 179 days on market. Single family home sales rose 15% to 23 units sold, while condo sales doubled to 8 units. Total sales increased by 29% over October, and by 7% over November 2010. This increase in sales, coupled with decreased inventory and faster selling times resulted in the Wallingford housing market going to a balanced market for the first time since July. Conventional mortgage rates were still hovering at or below 4% and CHFA rates for first time home buyers fell to a yearly low of 3.375 percent. Projected sales for December are in the 30-35 unit range, which will be slightly lower than December 2010, but still at a good level heading into 2012.

~Wallingford Properties For Sale~

(zoom out to see more properties)

Related articles

• Wallingford CT Market Update for October 2011 (wallingfordwired.com)
• Wallingford CT Market Update for September 2011 (wallingfordwired.com)
• Wallingford CT Market Update for August 2011 (wallingfordwired.com)

New Year's Eve Dining in the Wallingford CT Area

Well, another year has come and gone and Christmas is right around the corner. Soon, the shrill cries of delighted children young and old will fill the air and living room floors everywhere will be littered with the remains of wrapping paper, boxes, tape, ribbons and gift tags. The echoes of Christmas morning will barely have passed when we begin to shift our attention to the second big event of the season, New Year's Eve.

Zandri's celebration begins with cocktails at 6PM until 7:15PM featuring buffet-style hors d'oeuvres, jumbo cocktail shrimp and an open bar, followed by dinner from 7:30PM to 9PM. The menu includes a choice of family style Ziti with meat sauce, Roasted Tenderloin of Beef, Stuffed Lobster Tail or Chicken Francais, accompanied by baked potatoes and string beans almondine. An assortment of desserts will be served buffet style from 9:30PM to 10:30PM.

The evening's entertainment will be provided by Elvis impersonator Brian Martin, and Tom Shields DJ Productions will be spinning the discs for your dancing pleasure throughout the evening until 1AM.

The cost is $185.00 per couple and includes the obligatory noisemakers, hats and decorations as well as a champagne toast at the stroke of midnight. They are limiting sales to 175 couples, so call soon to make your reservations, (203) 269-6695.

Zandri's Stillwood Inn on Facebook

Villa Capri

Their New Year's Eve gala Celebration runs from 6:30PM to 1AM and features a top shelf open bar all night and live entertainment. The 5 course dinner starts with hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, Penne alla Vodka, and Capri Garden Salad, followed by your choice of Beef Tenderloin, Baked Stuffed Shrimp, or Chicken Piccatta. Next comes a decadent dessert buffet featuring an assortment of cakes, pastries, tortes, dessert shots and even a chocolate fountain! A midnight champagne toast rounds out 2011, but that's not the end of the evening. A breakfast buffet comes out at 12:30AM featuring a waffle bar and an assortment of danish, muffins, scones and more.

The evening's entertainment will be provided by Rico Entertainment Events.

Tickets are $79.00 per person and reservations are limited, so call (203) 265-7174 soon to secure a spot for you and your hunny!

Villa Capri on Facebook

Gaetano's Tavern on Main

Co-owners Debbie and Cheryl invite you to join them for a fantastic New Year's Eve celebration. In addition to their regular menu, a prix fixe menu is also available featuring Prime Rib ($40), Baked Stuffed Shrimp ($35), Surf & Turf ($40), and Stuffed Chicken ($30). The price includes salad, bread, pasta, entree, potato, vegetable, dessert, coffee or tea, tax and gratuity.

The evening's entertainment will be provided by "The Charmed Ones". Balloons will drop at midnight while you're drinking your complimentary champagne toast, and all the necessary noisemakers and party favors will be provided.

Seating will be limited, so call soon to reserve your seats for this gala event. Reservations can be made by calling (203) 294-1114.

Gaetano's Tavern on Main on Facebook

Laskara Restaurant

Unlike other area venues, Laskara is offering their regular menu but at three different seating times. If you're just up for dinner only, you can choose from a 6PM or 7:30PM seating time. If you're looking to ring in the new year, however, the 9:30PM seating time is for you. You can dance away the night to the beat of the band "De Novo", or just party away until 1AM in the lounge.

For reservations, call (203) 679-9844.

The Dry Dock

If an alcohol-free party is more to your taste, The Dry Dock is hosting their second annual Black and White New Year's Eve party from 7 PM to 1 AM. The menu will feature appetizers, Prime Rib, Leg of Lamb, a Turkey and ham carving station, veggies, salad and desserts. Refreshments will include soda, water, coffee and tea.

There will be live music provided by a DJ during dinner and dancing throughout the evening until 1 AM, and there will also be heated outdoor tents. Tickets are $20 per person, and only 120 will be sold, so call for your reservation soon at (203) 626-5560.

MERIDEN

Rosie's Cafe

Rosie's New Year's Eve party will run from 7 PM to 1 AM and will feature hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, a dinner buffet with a choice of Baked Stuffed Shrimp or Roast Beef accompanied by Twice Baked Potatoes, salad and veggies, a coffee station and a wide assortment of desserts. Complimentary champagne will be provided for the midnight toast, and of course there will be decorations and noisemakers to help bring in the new year.

The evening's entertainment will be provided by Don Pierson. The cost for the buffet will be $25.00 per person, and as there is limited seating, the staff suggests making your reservations soon by calling Rosie's at (203) 235-2412.

il Monticello

il Monticello will be hosting a New Year's Eve party for singles, sponsored by Connecticut ConTacts. A lavish dinner buffet will be provided, featuring Roast Top Round of Beef, Filet of Sole Stuffed with Crabmeat, Chicken Marsala, Tortellini with Vodka Sauce, Vegetable du Jour, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Antipasto Salad, rolls and butter. Also included is a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and a Venetian Table dessert buffet at 12:15 AM.

The evening's entertainment will be provided by DJ Reggie B. The cost of entry is $45 per person, and attire should be dressy (jackets for men are requested). Noisemakers, hats and other party favors will also be provided.

No reservations will be taken, it's first come, first seated. For more information, call (203) 468-1144.

NORTH HAVEN

Casa Fajita

If you're up for a little spice in your New Year's Eve menu, try North Haven's Casa Fajita. For $69.95 per couple, they're offering a meal that includes an appetizer, entree and dessert.

Featured appetizers include Sausage or Seafood Stuffed Mushrooms, Potato Skins, and Fried Goat Cheese and Beet Salad with Shallot Vinegrette. The main course offers a choice of New York Strip Steak with a Jalapeno Demi-glace topped with Onions and Mushrooms served with Truffle Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Vegetables; Cajun Salmon or Tilapia topped with Black Bean Salsa served over Mexican Rice, Potatoes and Mixed Vegetables; Spinaka Chicken over Mexican Rice; or Penne alla Vodka with either Chicken, Sausage or Shrimp. The desserts include Flan, Tres Leches, or Strawberry Margarita Cheesecake.

A nice added touch is a complimentary bottle of wine with your meal. Seating is limited so reservations are strongly encouraged. Call (203) 239-2262 more more info or to reserve a spot for this festive meal.

These are just a few of the places that have celebrations planned in the Wallingford area. we'll be sure to update the list as more venues make their plans for New Year's Eve known.